Event SummaryShrimp & Grits: A coastal favorite, the Shrimp & Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, over 100 art and craft vendors, live music, kids’ zone, food, a craft brew fest, wildlife demonstrations, and more. Now in its thirteenth year, more than 45,000 guests attend the Shrimp & Grits Festival. This annual three-day event will be held September 14-16, 2018 in Jekyll Island’s National Historic Landmark District.

General InformationArts and Crafts Judging: Only arts and craft vendors will be judged for Best in Show. The top three artists will receive plaques, a sign to place outside their tent and the following monetary awards:
First Place $700.00
Second Place $500.00
Third Place $300.00

Rules/Regulations

All vendors are required use only white tents.

This does not apply to Food Court Vendors.

​​A photo of the artist creating their product is required to be considered by the jury.

A photo of the artists' booth is required to be considered by the jury. The shot must be of the overall setup/outside appearance of the booth as it will be at our festival.

Click here to view examples of acceptable photos of artists creating their product and a booth shot.

Vendors will be notified of jurors decisions by July 13, 2018. These decisions will not be confirmed or discussed via telephone. Artists must pay their booth fee by August 4, 2018, to confirm that space and their participation in the show. If spaces are not confirmed by August 4, 2018, they will be re-assigned to artists on the waitlist.

Returning vendors are not guaranteed acceptance or same space as previous years. Vendors are not exempt from 2018 jury.

All decisions of the jurors are final.

Vendors may not move spaces once assigned.

Accepted applicants will receive a vendor package of information (including the location of vendor space) sent in the mail weeks prior to the event.

Refunds: An accepted application is a commitment to participate the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival, which is an outdoor rain or shine event. Therefore, there will be NO REFUNDS for any reason after a vendor is accepted into the festival, including an Act of God.

Overnight security will be on site Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights.

Because of space constraints (such as low hanging limbs) in our Historic Landmark District, we must strictly prohibit motor homes, large trailers, and large vehicles. Please come prepared to hand-truck your work in and out if asked to do so because of vehicle size.

Restrictions: Any motorhome, trailer, or large vehicle taller than 8 ft. or longer than 20 ft.

If you plan to bring a motor home, large trailer, or vehicle please list your vehicle/trailer specs on your application.

Vehicles of any kind are not allowed on the festival grounds once the festival begins on Friday until it concludes on Sunday.

Artists must be present at their vendor booth during the festival.

Change Banks: Please come prepared. The Jekyll Island Authority will not be able to provide change banks.

Water: Vendors are responsible for their own water. Running water hoses from spigots to your booth will not be permitted. This does not apply to Food Court vendors.

Electricity is very limited on-site and purchased on a first come, first serve basis for Art and Crafts vendors. Vendors may bring whisper quiet generators. Vendors paying for electricity are asked to bring a 50’ to 100’ extension cord to reach from the outlet to their booth. Please request electricity when purchasing your booth as not all spaces have power and you may not move spaces once they are assigned. This does not apply to Food Court vendors.

Vendors are required to stay open after sundown. Come prepared with lights (solar/battery powered)

Food & Drink: Arts and Crafts vendors are not permitted to sell food & drink for consumption. Food products sold as packaged items are permissible but are required to apply through as a Handmade Provisions vendor.

Parking: All vendor vehicles and trailers will be provided parking in a designated area. Vendors that do not park in that area will be asked to move their vehicle. No vendor will be allowed to keep a trailer behind their vendor space. This does not apply to Food Court Vendors.

Booth Appearance: Be prepared to set up your space in accordance with the appearance represented in your submitted photos. Vendors are partly chosen for the professional appearance of their booth.

Certificate of Liability: Food trucks that are accepted into the festival must provide a current ​Certificate of Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 with the Jekyll Island Authority listed as additionally insured.

Jekyll Island Parking Fee: The Jekyll Island State Park parking fee applies to all vendors.The parking fee will be increased during this event. The fee is an additional $4 per daily/weekly pass; annual passes are not impacted. You may purchase a daily/weekly pass online, by clicking here.

The daily ticket is valid for 24 consecutive hours after initial entry.

The weekly ticket is valid for 7 consecutive days after initial entry.

A vendor understands that the space size they lease shall accommodate their unit, including any hitch and awnings and that you will be charged for additional space should you go over your designated area. Space is limited and all equipment, supplies, and display must be located within the dimensions of the designated space. The overall appearance of your vending area, as well as your staff, is considered for involvement in future events. Vendors agree to keep their lease space and surrounding area clean and clear of all garbage and debris. Within their own space, vendors will provide garbage containers for their customers’ use. Please note that the overall behavior of your business and your staff is also considered for involvement in future events.

Early Load-in Thursday, September 13th - A Thursday load-in can be scheduled for an added charge at check out. Only those that prepay and schedule a load-in time will be allowed Early Load-in on Thursday. No payments will be taken onsite.

Regular Load-in Friday, September 14, 2018, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

You will be assigned a specific load-in time. This will ease congestion in our Historic District setting. Vendors who arrive before or after their assigned time will not be allowed to drive in and must hand-truck their work to their space.

All vendors arriving after 2 p.m. will not be allowed in under any circumstance.

Load in time does not include set-up. It is strictly for unloading supplies. After unloading, you will be asked to park your vehicle and come back to set up your booth. This request is to avoid congestion.

Vendors must be set up on Friday with no exception. Vendors are to provide their own setup. Jekyll Island Authority is not able to provide tents but can provide tables and chairs at a charge. More information at check out.

Some load-in times may be very early. We ask that you arrive at your scheduled load-in time to keep the flow of traffic moving through the historic district.

Load-in times cannot be changed once scheduled.

Please note the operation hours below. Vendors are required to stay open during all operating hours and should come prepared to do so. Vendors are not allowed to close down at night. Your booth must remain open and have lights for festival guests.
​Operation Hours:
September 14, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
September 15, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No early teardowns or departures. You must be “Open-for-Business” by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 14 until completion of the event at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 16 during Festival Operation Hours.

I have reviewed all pages of this application and agree to abide by the requirements set forth by this application and certify all work for sale is handmade by the seller and not mass-produced. Furthermore, by signing below I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Jekyll Island Authority from any claims whatsoever arising from my participation as a vendor and any theft, loss, or damage to the person or property of the undersigned while in possession or under the supervision of Jekyll Island Authority during the Shrimp & Grits Festival. No refunds or credits will be issued for vendor cancellation, inclement weather cancellation, or an act of God.